Guests are seeking a rejuvenating retreat or an adventure filled beach and whale watching holiday, Birkenhead House is the ideal destination. The all-inclusive means that guests never need to leave the comfort of Birkenhead House.

For the more adventurous guests, Hermanus offers plenty of activities including whale watching, shark cage diving, golf, horse riding on the beach, hiking, surfing, mussel picking and even wine tasting. The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a short drive away and is one of South Africa’s premier wine routes specialising in cool climate Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs.

The hotel’s contemporary décor is an artful mix of beach-house and quirky opulence. While Birkenhead House is a five-star hotel with all the services and amenities guests would expect.

ACCOMMODATION

The 11 suites at Birkenhead House are individually decorated by the stylish wand of owner Liz Biden. The rooms are located in three different houses which make up Birkenhead House.

STANDARD ROOM

Standard Room 10 is lavishly appointed room has a built-up king-size bed with marble steps, Venetian headboard, Victorian chair, antique oak half-moon tables, and original paintings, including separate dressing room. A cosy balcony with table and two chairs offers the room an inflow of natural light and fresh sea air. The bathroom is extravagantly finished with stone floor, stone freestanding egg-shaped bath, two separate stone vanities and an open shower. The room 11 offer balconies and majestic mountain views. The focus of the room is the hand-painted king-size four-poster bed, complemented by mirrored desk and bedside table.

SUPERIOR ROOM

Take pleasure in ocean views from the private balcony or curl up in front of the TV on the luxurious king-size, French four-poster bed. A splendid shagreen desk and various original paintings add character to this stylish, sophisticated suite. Other superior room decorated in beautiful blue and green – toned with dark wooden headboard; 2-seater silken love couch; zebra skin mirror. Wrap-around balconies with cane chairs offer unparalleled views of ocean and mountains.

DELUXE SUPERIOR ROOM

Fresh and bright with dazzling ocean views from its two balconies, this is a delightfully stylish suite. A king-size Louis Farouk antique bed is the signature feature of the room, complemented by an 18th century French gold chair, yellow silk French antique sofa and original artwork. Deluxe Superior Room 2 energised by the bright colours, form the bright pink headboard to the vivid red chairs, the Room is epitome of glamour.

LUXURY ROOM

One of the luxury rooms, situated in the middle of the House. The suite opens onto a patio and pool area, furnished with a daybed and table and chairs. Opulent furnishings include an extravagant king-size four-poster bed with hand-carved antique Indian buttresses. The other Luxury Room offers wonderful sea views from its balcony, which is furnished with cane tables and chairs. Inside guests find magnificent décor, including a French gold antique chair and shagreen desk. The bathroom opens onto a mountain-facing balcony and is fitted with two shell mirrors, double marble-topped vanities and a marvellous freestanding Victorian bath.

SPA

This Hermanus spa offers two treatment rooms and a comprehensive menu to choose from. Delivered by a network of highly qualified therapists, the wide range of therapies include body exfoliation, massages, body wraps, as well as beauty and grooming treatments. When the weather is fine, massages and other spa treatments can also be enjoyed in the open air, overlooking the ocean.

DINING

On offer are homemade breads, ice creams and sorbets, as well as delicacies such as tempura strawberries. Fresh local seafood includes fish such as Cape Salmon, Kingklip, Hake, Marlin, Red Roman and Kabeljou as well as crayfish, prawns and mussels picked fresh from the rocks below the hotel.

COASTAL CUISINE

At Birkenhead House guests, can go foraging with the Executive Chef for edible Fynbos species along the coastal shoreline. Hotel’s chefs will then prepare a five-course dinner incorporating those hand-picked ingredients while each course will be paired with wines from the nearby Hemel and Aarde Valley.

No coastal experience would be complete without picking mussels from the rocks below Birkenhead House. Chefs Ziyaad and Pinkie will share their knowledge with the guests and explain which mussels to pick and how to pick them.